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Keuchel, Martinez among four Astros callups

Keuchel, Martinez among four Astros callups

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Dallas Keuchel 8-17

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PITTSBURGH -- The Astros called up four more players from Triple-A Oklahoma City following Monday's game -- catcher Carlos Corporan, right-hander Chuckie Fick, left-hander Dallas Keuchel and outfielder J.D. Martinez.

Oklahoma City was eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday night and finished its season with a 1-0 win over Round Rock on Monday. Keuchel got the start, throwing three perfect innings in an abbreviated outing.

"The tough part of all these guys coming up is it's hard for me to get them in games, so we'll be seeing a lot of double-switching, some pinch-hitting earlier in games if we have to," Astros interim manager Tony DeFrancesco said. "There's only eight slots [for position players in the starting lineup] and a ton of players who want that playing time. We're going to prioritize some of our playing time for some of our younger players."

Corporan hit .275 with three homers and nine RBIs in 18 games with the Astros earlier this year, including 15 starts. Martinez, who leads the Astros with 54 RBIs this year, was sent to Oklahoma City on Aug. 9 and hit .233 with no homers in 23 games for the RedHawks.

Fick will also be in his second stint with the Astros, having appeared in nine games earlier this year, posting a 4.85 ERA.

The big league stint will be the third for Keuchel, who has made 12 starts for Houston. In his 16 starts at the Triple-A level this year, Keuchel went 6-4 with a 3.90 ERA.

In addition, the Astros will be adding an extra coach to handle the extra players on the roster. The rules allow clubs to call up one uniformed coach/manager from the Minor Leagues, and the Astros could rotate a couple of those through in September. Minor League medical coordinator Jamey Snodgrass has joined the club to lend a hand to the training staff.